Get Out

Spring has officially sprung, but for many people it's not really official until the first pitch on Opening Day. That happens Tuesday when the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park, and the community will celebrate with a day-long festival leading up to game time. 

If sports isn't your bag, the arts might be, and local girl Stephanie Weiss does good this week, making her debut at the San Diego Opera in Der Rosenkavalier. Those are just two of your choices for fun, artsy and sporty things to do in Imperial Beach and beyond, from March 31-April 5.

Other events include a mythical space adventure touching down nearby, a major rowing competition in Mission Bay and opportunities to tour a clinic and take a group ride to the border.

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Nestor Community Health Center, 1016 Outer Rd., San Diego, 3 p.m. Thursday.

• Why Go: The center opens its doors for two hours of tours and the chance to meet its staff and board of directors. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Coronado Ferry Plaza, 1201 First St., Coronado, 5:45 p.m. Friday.

• Why Go: To join in a bike ride to the border to meet up with riders in the monthly Paseo de Todos bicycle tour of Tijuana. Also meets at the border around 7:30 p.m.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: American Legion Post 434, 47 Fifth Ave., Chula Vista, 7:30 p.m. Friday.

• Why Go: Alums of Imperial Beach's Mar Vista High invite others from the school to attend a get-together with music provided by former students. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Lamb's Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 8 p.m. Friday.

• Why Go: To take in the spectacle of The Book of the Dun Cow, based on the 1978 novel by Walter Wangarin Jr., which itself was inspired by the classic Canterbury Tales. Continues through May 15.

• Price: $26.50-$53.

• Where/when: Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 6 p.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: The 26th Salute to the Military Ball includes presentations of two awards to military members and sponsorships so active personnel an attend the fete, in the hotel's Grand Ballroom.

• Price: $250 and up.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Legoland, 1 Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, Thursday.

• Why Go: The park's new Star Wars Mini-land opens, complete with replicas of famous scenes and characters from the ageless saga.

• Price: $59-69.

• Where/when: Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, Thursday through Sunday.

• Why Go: Cirque du Soleil brings one of its nearly two dozen rotating shows to the former Sports Arena. Quidam unfurls as the dream of a misunderstood youngster.

• Price: $40-$110.

• Where/when: Crown Point in Mission Bay, San Diego, Friday through Sunday.

• Why Go: The San Diego Crew Classic drops anchor at Crown Point for three days, with music and other diversions provided for spectators, in addition to the races.

• Price: $5-$10; Friday is the free preview day.

• Where/when: Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Five local children and teens stood out in the California Young Playwrights Contest. Now their works will be performed, through April 10; a play by partners Kaylin Jeanne Greisen and Sydney Yockey, both 11 and of San Diego, will be among them.

• Price: $9-$20; $50 on opening night.

• Where/when: University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: To tryout for the San Diego Chargers cheerleading team, which could allow you to perform at Qualcomm Stadium and travel around the country. Meet at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on campus. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1200 Third Ave., San Diego, 2 p.m., Sunday.

• Why Go: To see the opening of Der Rosenkavalier, Strauss' epic tale of love and loss; soprano Stephanie Weiss, who attended La Jolla Country Day School, debuts with the San Diego Opera in the supporting role of Marianne.

• Price: $35-$195.

• Where/when: Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, Tuesday.

• Why Go: Make a day of baseball. The Padres kick off the 2011 season with a 3:35 p.m. game and the East Village community celebrates by holding a street fair starting at 11:30 a.m. 

• Price: Game, $5-$71, with limited availability; street fair, free.